In Denver, Christopher Dempsey cited sources as saying that the Nuggets are "likely to get back into the D-League business next season." The Nuggets are currently "not affiliated with a team but can assign players to a D-League team connected to another NBA team." It has been seven years "since the Nuggets last had a D-League team all to themselves." Currently, 14 teams "own and operate their D-League affiliates outright." Seven are in “hybrid” partnerships, which means the NBA team "runs the basketball ops of the D-League team, but local ownership runs the business." It is "unclear which direction the Nuggets would go" (DENVER POST, 10/2).
FISH OUT OF WATER: Whether the Dolphins have become the “laughingstock” of the NFL was a topic debated by FS1's Colin Cowherd and Jason Whitlock, with Cowherd the team has “joined the club.” Cowherd: “It’s Cleveland, it's Buffalo and it's Miami.” He added, “When you watch them … I see utter dysfunction.” Whitlock: “That undefeated Dolphins team in the Don Shula era is covering up the stench of the entire organization. … It’s an embarrassing organization year after year after year” (“Speak for Yourself,” FS1, 9/30). ESPN’s Rachel Nichols said what has Dolphins’ fans “so frustrated is not that they are losing,” but it “is the way they are losing.” ESPN’s Tony Kornheiser: “What’s bad about the Dolphins to me is they’re boring” (“PTI,” ESPN, 9/30).
A WHITER SHADE OF PALE: In Miami, George Richards notes both the Panthers and Stars "brought their white road sweaters" to yesterday’s game at Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario. The Panthers thought the Stars were "bringing its home sweaters since the two teams meet again" tomorrow in Texas. However, the Stars were "originally listed as the road team" and "brought its road jerseys" (MIAMIHERALD.com, 10/3).
